Nouranyeh's Recipe

CAJUN ONE POT CREAMY CHICKEN PASTA

Category: Cajun or Creole

INGREDIENTS FOR CAJUN SEASONING
2 tsp smoked paprika ($0.20)
1 tsp oregano ($0.10)
1 tsp thyme ($0.10)
1/2 tsp garlic powder ($0.05)
1/2 tsp onion powder ($0.05)
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper ($0.03)
1/4 tsp black pepper ($0.02)
1/4 tsp salt ($0.02)

INGREDIENTS FOR CHICKEN PASTA
1 Tbsp olive oil ($0.16)
1 Tbsp butter ($0.13)
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast ($5.47)
1 yellow onion, diced ($0.32)
1/2 lb. penne pasta (uncooked) ($0.75)
15 oz. fire roasted diced tomatoes ($1.00)
2 cups chicken broth ($0.26)
2 oz. cream cheese ($0.50)
3 green onions, sliced ($0.25)
An Expensive optional ingredient would be to grate some expensive Parmesan Cheese, say 1/4 to 1/2 a cup into the dish at the end. I did it and it taste so good.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Combine the ingredients for the Cajun seasoning in a small bowl. Cut the chicken into 1/2 to 3/4-inch cubes. Place the cubed chicken in a bowl, pour the Cajun seasoning over top, and stir to coat the chicken in spices.

Add the olive oil and butter to a large deep skillet. Heat the oil and butter over medium-high until the skillet is very hot and the butter is melted and foamy. Add the seasoned chicken to the skillet and cook for a couple minutes on each side, or just until the outside gets some color. The chicken does not need to be cooked through at this point. DON'T OVERCOOK THE CHICKEN. REMOVE IF NECESSARY AND ADD IT BACK IN AT THE END.

Add the diced yellow onion to the skillet and continue to sauté for about 2 minutes more, or just until the onion begins to soften. Allow the moisture from the onion to dissolve any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.

Next, add the uncooked pasta, fire roasted diced tomatoes (with the juices), and chicken broth to the skillet. Stir just until everything is evenly combined, then place a lid on top and allow the broth to come up to a boil.

Once boiling, turn the heat down to medium-low and let the pasta simmer for about ten minutes, stirring every couple of minutes, until the pasta is tender and the liquid is thick and saucy.

Add the cream cheese to the skillet in chunks, then stir until it has melted into the sauce. Top the pasta with sliced green onions and serve.

NOTES:
Hunts makes a cheap and delicious Fire Roasted Dice Tomatoes can. You can use Tony Catcher's Creole Seasoning or any good Cajun Seasoning preparation instead of making your own. You will probably have to use about 2 to 3 TBS of Creole or Cajun Prepared Seasoning and add more to the skillet as needed by tasting the sauce along the way.
The deep skillet I use is a 4-quart capacity.